Radio station moves out of downtown

Listeners of WIFE 94.3 and KMIX 106.9 may not be able to tell by listening, but the radio station’s main studios and offices are no longer on the second floor of the Connersville News-Examiner building.

June 22 marked the last day people had to climb steps to get to the station. All equipment moved to Rushville. A business office and remote studio moved to the north side of the city.

Radio stations with various call letters have been located there since 1948, when it began as WCNB AM-FM.

The Rushville location had been maintained as the WIFE studios since Whitewater Broadcasting bought the FM station from Rush-Shelby Energy. Previously, it had been known as WKWH, she said.

“Nothing has really changed,” Bottomley said. “We will still serve the city of Connersville and Fayette County and help grow businesses through radio marketing.”

The station has a new office and remote studio at 3025 N. Thirty Court. Staff can interview people or a client can make a commercial there, Bottomley said. Listeners can pick up prizes there. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In going through decades worth of items hidden away in the building, staff found old WCNB, Hot WIFE and All-American Country memorabilia, she said. They tossed out items no longer needed. On June 22, all hands – from sales, on-air, IT, engineering and the movers – took equipment down those 25 stairs for the last time.

The new locations offer more room, windows – and no steps – Bottomley said with a laugh.

“We’re still Connersville’s radio station,” Ted Cramer, program director, said. “Our commitment to serving Connersville has not, and will not, change. The only thing that has changed is where I sit.”